Former NFL superstar Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson claims to know what team and city that Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara will be moving to this upcoming season.
Wilson was unceremoniously demoted this past season by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and his tenure there seems to have been untenable. The Wilson family’s exodus from Colorado is considered a foregone conclusion, and the conversation has turned to what team he may join next.
Ochocinco, who starred for years as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, continues to enjoy privileged relationships within the league. Ocho claims he’s been told who the suitor may be.
Can Chad Ochocinco be right about Wilson?
“A little birdie told me, and I said this many shows ago, Russell Wilson’s coming on over to the Steelers,” he asserted on his “Nightcap” podcast with Shannon Sharpe.
Shannon Sharpe disagrees with Chad Ochocinco
Sharpe, also an ex-NFL player, countered Ochocinco by saying embattled quarterback Justin Fields is the leading candidate to go to the Steelers from the Chicago Bears. But Ocho reiterated his belief that Fields is headed to the Atlanta Falcons.
Ocho’s stance may have some merit. Fields unfollowed the Bears on Instagram and has now followed several Falcons players on the Falcons IG, a clear indication that new relationships have been established. Furthermore, there are reports that the Falcons are close to making a deal to obtain Fields’ services.
There are some real financial restraints due to Wilson’s astronomical contract of five years at $245 million which he signed in 2022. There is a strong belief that Wilson will be cut or traded by the Broncos before March 17, 2024, when $37 million will become guaranteed. And while the Broncos are still legally obligated to pay the balance of his exorbitant contract, it does free up Wilson to play for the league minimum for another team such as the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that “the Steelers are not interested in bringing in a quarterback who wants to be a starter.” However, the quarterback performances by starter Kenny Pickett and backups Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph left much to be desired in 2023. If that statement is true, it remains to be seen how long the Steelers hold on to that stance.
